July 6, 2008
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By Old Hat
In my less than humble opinion some of the best cowboys you will ever see are the pick up men at the rodeo. They are the ezer kenegdo of the rodeo, for you Bible scholars out there. They are the “life saving rescuers” who swoop into save you when things go wrong. The pick up man knows every animal in the rodeo and has a good idea of what they are going to do in the arena. These guys can ride and rope much better than the average ranch hand. They also ride some of the finest horses you will ever see. They are respected by every cowboy in every event and for very good reasons. If you know what to watch for it is a great satisfaction to see them working.
They are best known for, and most visible during, the bronc riding events. Saddle bronc riders need help getting off the bronc when the ride is over. You really want to avoid getting thrown from a running horse if you can. They don’t generally come back to get you like a bull will but you are traveling at a much higher rate of speed so you really want to hang on and ride it out. But after the buzzer you want to get off. Of course, sometimes you want off earlier than that. Whenever you decide you need off you signal the pick up man and he swoops in on his fastest horse and almost physically lifts you from your bronc onto the back of his saddle. Bear in mind that all of this happens at thirty or forty miles an hour. I’ve never seen a pick up man drop a cowboy.
The tricky part for a pick up man is that they are not allowed to come in and help until the rider gives them the signal. The pick up man has to be called in. Being an expert cowboy, he will often know you are in trouble before you realize it for yourself. But he knows the rules. He will not interfere with your ride until you admit you need help and call for it. You are in charge of the ride even when you feel totally out of control. Until you signal for help you are on your own.
Sounds kind of like life. You may feel totally out of control but you are still the one who decides when to ask for help. Interestingly enough, the way a cowboy signals the pick up man to come on in is by putting one hand around the other. Kind of like he’s praying for help. Just like when you pray, help always shows up. I guess the difference is that pick up men are always predictable. You know exactly what they are going to do to help. God might do something you would never expect, but he is the original Ezer Kenegdo. Strong to save. Just like that cowboy you can know for certain that help is coming now that you asked. Now you just have to hang on til it arrives.
Maybe you ought to give Him the signal. Admit you need help. I have a hard time with that myself. I’m going to try it this week though.
